State backs Proctor’s demolition plan

The state this afternoon announced it has awarded nearly $20 million to several Capital Region redevelopment projects, including $4 million for the controversial plan to demolish the interior of Proctor’s Theater in Troy.

Empire State Development, the state’s economic development agency, awarded $5 million to an Albany project that will remake the former St. Joseph’s Academy and several other Arbor Hill properties, and it awarded $4 million to the redevelopment of the ALCO site along the Mohawk River in Schenectady (pictured below).

The Proctor’s plan also received $4 million. That proposal by Columbia Development and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, which owns the building, would demolish the Fourth Street structure’s interior and replace it will offices. It would also rehab adjacent office space, reviving a downtrodden block that has long been a thorn in the side of city boosters.

The proposal, though, has organized opposition. In fact, opponents last week brought a $15 million plan to restore the theater interior to the Troy City Council.

Statewide, grants totaling $154 million were awarded, including $500,000 for the First National Bank Building in Hudson Falls and another $500,000 for the Empire Square Project in Glens Falls.

Also, Cherry Valley received $225,000 for the redevelopment of 29 Main St., an abandoned building; Johnston received $420,000 for the North Perry Housing Project; Gloversville got $2.5 million for the Estee School Condominium Project; and Sharon Springs garnered $1 million for the redevelopment of the Imperial Spa, built in the 1920s, into a modern luxury spa.

The city of Albany had asked for $5 million for the redevelopment of the former Boyd Printing Co. building on Sheridan Avenue, but that project did not receive state funding.

The state today said that Restore NY grants are awarded to projects to demolish, deconstruct and rehabilitate vacant, abandoned or condemned buildings. The money usually benefits the private developers undertaking the projects, but the plans must be sponsored by local government, which prepares the grant applications.

The state also said the projects must be architecturally consistent with nearby properties or built in a manner consistent with the area’s local revitalization or urban development plan.

8 Responses

The Proctors Theater redevelopment for office space has got to be one of the most boned headed ideas that I ever read about. The city of Troy officials and others involved in this project simply don’t have a clue of it’s value. It shows me that the officials and others involved are driven by an ideal about making Troy some sort of business center with more offices that will not be rented. There must be hundreds of thousands of square feet of office space in Troy in other fine building that could be rehabilitated by these funds. I’m glad we can vote the governor and the president out after their current terms. We are not so lucky with the mayor of the city of Troy. It seems as if mayors in the state of New York can stay in office forever. Political people with this type of mindset need to have term limits so they cannot further damage landmark jewels such as the Proctors building which is a gift to the people of Troy.

If this deal does go through, I hope they’ll erase every possible suggestion that there was a fine jewel of a building here that once was the pride of Troy. To have anything remain is just an insult added to injury.

I for one want something to be done! This building has been allowed to rot for too long. The price of rehabing an old rotten, mold ridden structure is only conjecture. The demolition and construction of new space is absolutely known. Let us look at the effects on the downtown with both proposals. Let us look at the number of people arriving on Monday morning of any given work week into the downtown of Troy. With the RPI plan there would be 300 people every work day arriving on 4th Street. Under the Protesters Plan there would be only a few. Yes for a few hectic hours once in a while there might be 1,000 people. Few businesses can be supported by such glut and famine. Whatever is decided, let it happen fast. Thanks to all.

The ALCO HISTORICAL & TECHNICAL SOCIETY hopes to be able to save some of the historic buildings at the ALCO PLANT site. Our plan is to build a large museum there covering the rich history of one of Schenectady’s largest employers which built steam, electric and diesel locomotives, tanks and many other non railroad items such as the lock gates for the Mohawk River.
We hopes to make this a attraction to help bring in tourists into the City which in turn will help the local economy.
This City was known as the City that: “Hauls and Lights The World”

Theatre Historical Society of Ameria strongly urges all involved to reconsider demolition of this landmark theater building. The money that will go into destroying the theater can easily fund the rehabilitation that needs to happen to make the theater a viable public space once again. Respect the history of the whole building, not just the facade.

If Troy is serious about getting people back downtown, they will find a way to save and restore this wonderful theater. Look at what the restoration of the Schenectady Proctor’s has done for that downtown.
Also. it should be illegal to use government grant money to destroy a building on the National Register.